Richard “Mr.” LeRoy (6-0 MMA) is facing the toughest challenge in his career on February 17 when he fights Darren “Hollywood” Smith Jr. (14-8 MMA) for the CXF Interim Lightweight Title. The fight pits two contestants from CXF’s lightweight tournament against each other after the tournament took a few twists and turns, two of the top contenders will finally meet in the cage. CXF 11: Alpha Dog takes place this Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, California.

Though stoked for a title shot, LeRoy doesn’t believe he has to tinker with what he has done in the past to prepare for this fight.

“It’s like that old saying, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it,” said LeRoy.

The Sityodtong LA fighter might be right as he has won all of his six professional fights via finish. The latest against hard hitting veteran Christian Aguilara in November which earned him his title shot.

Though he has faced tough competition in the past, LeRoy hasn’t faced a challenge like Smith Jr. yet. Smith Jr. has fought for big promotions Bellator and ACB. “Hollywood” is entering the title fight from a loss at ACB against Amirkhan Adaev but has beaten the likes of UFC veteran James Moontasari and RFA veteran Zach Juusola.

Smith Jr. and LeRoy were supposed to face each other in the lightweight tournament but it fell through and it led to a little bit of smack talk by Hollywood.

LeRoy was not impressed.

“I saw his little shit talking,” said LeRoy. “I mean it’s pretty lame if you ask me, it’s not like he came up with anything clever to say. Whatever shit he wants to talk, I’m not going to engage in that, that’s just not how I do things. I’m going to let my performance speak for itself. When I get that belt and when he gets to look at that picture of the belt around my waist, I don’t have to say shit to that guy.”

Even though Smith Jr.’s trash talk didn’t impress LeRoy, he does have respect for his opponent. Saying he is “definitely legit” and believes that a win could be the signature win of his career. In fact, the UFC and Bellator have already expressed interest in the surging lightweight.

“I’ve had conversations with the other organizations, bigger ones like Bellator and UFC. We’re trying to make something work. My manager is working on that kind of stuff. So, I think after the fight I think, just shoot off the resume again and maybe they’ll look at me again and say 7-0, he’s got a title, let’s put him in there. Hopefully that’s what happens.”

With a lot on the line and a tough opponent standing opposite of him, LeRoy doesn’t know if it will be a fight on the feet or ground, but he believes it will end in a finish.

“I’m thinking, in probably the second round, maybe the second round or third round I’m probably going to TKO him or submit him. I don’t think he’s going to be able to handle my attack on the feet and my pressure on the ground. Where ever we spend the majority of the time, I think that one way or another he’s going to end up getting knocked out or submitted.”